Prefabricated metal building kits cost between $15 and $25 per square foot. Typically, installed steel buildings usually cost between $24 and $43 per square foot. This price includes the cost of the kit, concrete slab, transportation, and construction.We’ve also explored the cost per square foot of commercial buildings in previous posts, and we hope this information provides you with additional insight.
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What Factors Affect the Cost of a Prefab Metal Building?
The price of a prefab metal building is affected by a variety of factors. Therefore, suppliers can only give approximate prices until they understand your project. Once the supplier understands your needs and location, they can provide you with a written fixed price quote.We’ve also explored in detail in previous articles the multiple factors that affect the price of a cold storage unit. For example, size, material selection and temperature control systems. All of these factors can have a significant impact on the final quote.
The main factors that affect the price per square foot of a prefab steel building include:
Steel Prices
Every steel building kit has a different price. It depends on the size of the prefab building, the complexity of the design, and your customization needs. Metal homes are strong and durable because they are made of steel. However, the price of steel is not fixed. Like all commodities, the price of steel changes every day. Therefore, the price of prefab metal buildings can also be affected by the price of steel.
Location of the Building Site
In addition, where you want to build has a lot to do with the cost of a metal building. Here are a few of the factors that are affected:
- Building Codes: Where you want to build your new building may have metal specification requirements. This is because local building codes take into account factors such as wind, snow and seismic loads. If your building is located in an area that experiences frequent hurricanes, snowstorms or earthquakes. Then more metal will be needed to support the extra weight.
- Shipping: Shipping and transportation costs will be affected by current fuel prices and surcharges. Therefore, be sure to check the shipping costs when placing your order. Some manufacturers include shipping costs in the price, while others do not.
- Labor Costs: Labor costs vary from region to region. Therefore, the location of the construction will also affect the labor cost.
- Local Taxes: Depending on where you live, sales tax may or may not be required.
Building Type, Size and Design
The overall complexity of a prefab metal building is an important factor that you can change. It will affect the final price of the metal building. When developing a budget for a new prefab steel building, you should carefully consider the size and complexity of the building.
Generally, the larger the building, the higher the total cost. However, the cost per square foot decreases as the size of the building increases. For example, a 5,000-square-foot metal building might cost $16 per square foot. In addition, a small garage or metal carport may cost $25 per square foot.
In addition, garages, stores, and other commercial buildings cost far less to build than churches. This is because churches have complex roof shapes and varying slopes. Typically, factors that affect price include the following:
Roof Style
Building designs with complex roof shapes cost more and require more framing. Most homes have a standard gambrel roof with a 2:12 pitch, which is also the least expensive style.
Roof Slope and Size
Since steeper roofs (3:12-5:12) require more metal. Therefore, the cost is higher than a low slope 1:12 roof. In addition, smaller buildings cost less. However, the cost per square foot may be higher.
Standard Sizes
Choose regular sizes such as 30×40, 30×50, 40×60, etc. rather than custom sizes such as 28×34. If you can, try to choose the largest building possible within your budget.
Design
Prices can change dramatically with more complex and unique designs. Extra features such as overhangs, porches or mezzanines.
Additional Framed Openings
If more metal is needed to frame windows and doors, this can drive up the price of the entire kit. Again, to keep the cost of a steel building down, try to limit the size and number of openings.
Exterior Trim
The total cost of a prefabricated metal building changes if you choose non-standard metal exterior trim. Prices vary for materials such as stucco, brick, rigid fiberboard, and structural insulated panels (SIPs).
End Use
Steel buildings used for living and working (such as stores) need to follow different building and foundation rules. This is not the case for steel buildings used for farm storage. The final cost depends on the use of the metal building, its function, and other factors related to the use.
Learn more: Metal Building Framing Details
Start your project today with a tailored price estimate for your steel building.
What Is the Cost of a Prefab Metal Building?
The cost of a metal building depends on the amount of space it occupies. Most kit components cost between $15 and $25 per square foot. However, once they are in place, prices can rise to between $24 and $200 per square foot. The exact price depends on the layout, location and the metal building interior required..
Therefore, you need to consider more than just the price of the kit when planning your build. Other factors must also be considered, and here are some of the most important things to consider in terms of cost.
Labor and Material Costs
The cost of labor for foundations, home construction, and any finishing work can vary up to 60% depending on where you build your home. Similarly, the price of concrete, road base, and any materials used to finish the interior (e.g., lumber, etc.) will depend on where you build your home.
Building Permit Fees
The price of a building permit varies in each state or territory of the United States and Canada. The price depends on the type, size, and complexity of the building. More populated cities may charge up to $7,500, while smaller places may charge as little as $150. In most cases, building permits cost between $550 and $2,000.
Clearing and Preparing the Site
Site preparation costs depend on where you want to build and how much work needs to be done to prepare the foundation. Estimates will vary depending on location, land, and weather. Please use these rough figures as a reference. They are based on the square footage of the building, not the size of the lot.
- Surveying $1,500 – $2,000
- Plan Design $750 – $2,500
- Soil Testing $700 – $1,800
- Site Clearing $1 – $4 /sq ft
- Site Grading $0.4 – $2 /sq ft
Building Construction
As with some other estimates, the cost of constructing a metal building depends heavily on the location of the construction site and labor costs. In most cases, construction costs range from $5 to $10 per square foot.
Concrete Slab Foundations
The cost of foundations depends on the area where you live, and the type and thickness of foundation needed. In addition, it will likewise be affected by the cost of building materials and labor in your area. Concrete slab foundations cost between $4 and $8 per square foot. To obtain a quote for the correct foundation, you will need to consult with a foundation installer.
Architectural Design
If you choose to work with a vendor of your choice. Then the basic design cost is included in the package price. If you need to build a more complex building and decide to work with an architect. Then approximately 7% of the architect’s fee should be added to the budget. The cost of floor plans, wiring, and plumbing drawings by a professional designer can range from $300 to $2,000.
Building Insulation
The price of insulation depends largely on the R-value you need and the type of insulation you choose. For the most commonly used metal building insulation, here are some approximate installation costs:
- Fiberglass Batts or Rolls: $0.70 to $2.50 per square foot
- Spray Foam Insulation: $2.50 to $4.50 per square foot
- SIP Panels: $5 to $10 per square foot
Framed Openings and Windows
Additional framed openings are required for locations where windows and doors need to be installed in pre-engineered steel buildings. Each framed opening requires more metal. Therefore, the final price of a metal building is also affected by the size and number of framed openings. Here are some rough estimates:
- Window openings $200 – $400
- Walk door openings $300 – $600
- Overhead door openings $400 – $800
On the other hand, the price of installing windows is also affected by the materials used. Typically, windows cost between $200 and $700.
Access Doors
The price of an access door depends on its width and height, as well as whether or not it needs to be insulated. The following are some rough numbers, but do not include all metal building door options:
- Sectional garage doors $900 – $4,000
- Roll Up Doors $1,200- $5,000
- Personnel doors $450- $850
Gutters and Drain Pipes
Gutters and downspouts range in price per foot from 3 to $15 per foot. The price depends largely on the material you choose (vinyl, metal, etc.). How many linear feet of gutters you need depends on the size of your building.
Add up the length and height of each wall to get an approximate value. If you need two implement pipes, you will need to add the two heights. After that, the calculated value should be increased by another 10% to avoid the problem of not having enough material. Here are some rough estimates based on common dimensions:
- 30x40x12 (1,200 sq ft) – approx. 125 linear feet = $375 – $1,875
- 40x60x16 (2,400 sq ft) – approx. 200 linear feet = $600 – $3,000
- 50x100x18 (5,000 sq ft) – approx. 350 linear feet = $1,050 – $5,250
Different Siding Options
If you need different siding than the metal siding provided, here are rough estimates:
- Hardie Plank $2-6 per sq ft.
- Vinyl siding $3 to $5 per square foot
- Wood siding $7 to $11 per square foot
- Stone or brick trim is $12 to $18 per square foot.
Interior Finishes
The cost of interior finishes for steel buildings ranges from 0 to $100 per square foot. For example, the cost of virtually no renovation is almost zero. And the cost of a completely renovated building maybe $100 per square foot.
- Interior framing & dry walling $8 – $18 per square foot
- Electrical (rough-in) $2 – $6 per square foot
- Plumbing (rough-in) $2 – $6 per square foo
Start your project today with a tailored price estimate for your steel building.
Saving on Prefab Metal Buildings Ways to Save on Costs
If you do as much of the work as possible yourself, then you can save some money. Also, compare the prices of different contractors for concrete, building, plumbing, and electrical. Then you can get a better quote and thus save a lot of money on your construction job.
Here are some other ways to save money:
Build Your Own
If you can erect your own steel building, you can save 20 to 30 percent. Even if you can’t, there are other things you can do to reduce the cost.
Make the Design Simpler
More complex designs require more metal and extra engineering time. Therefore, try to choose a simple design style. This will reduce material costs and construction time.
Avoid Costly Changes
If you don’t consider all your needs now, it could cost a lot in the future. Changing orders after production has started can be very expensive. So make sure you have thought it all through before sending your order to the factory.
Choose a Simple Roof Shape and Low Pitch
A single-pitch roof with a 1:12 pitch is the cheapest option. As mentioned above, complex roof shapes require more metal and take longer to build. Examples include monitor and truss roofs that require more components. For most people, a 2:12 pitch, mountain-wall roof is just right.
Reduce the Number of Windows and Doors
The number of framed openings also affects cost, so don’t have too many windows. In addition, choose standard-size windows and doors whenever possible. Standard-size windows and doors are easy to find in your area and are less expensive.
Reduce the Height
The higher the height of a prefabricated metal building, the more metal it will require and the more it will cost. In addition, the extra space can lead to increased heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) costs.
Plan Work for the Off-Season
Completing your building at the right time of year can help you save money. In colder locations, early spring and late fall are usually the best times to build. Because contractors do less business at this time, prices will be better. Summer, on the other hand, is usually the most expensive time because there is more business for contractors at this time.
Why Choose Xinguangzheng?
Xinguangzheng Group specializes in creating modern metal buildings that are built to last. We combine cutting-edge technology with superior craftsmanship. In addition, we are committed to delivering building solutions that exceed each client’s expectations.
